Detonation Science & Technology Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2) - Military Veterans

Job Title Detonation Science & Technology Engineer (R&D Engineer 1/2)
Location Los Alamos, NM, US
Organization Name Q-6/Detonation Science and Technology
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
What You Will Do
This position will be filled at either the R&D Engineer 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Detonation Science and Technology Group (Q-6) serves the Laboratory and the Nation providing the knowledge base and component design responsibilities for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas. The Group's capabilities include design engineering for nuclear weapon detonators and detonator cable assemblies, design, fabrication, qualification, and installation of test fire control systems, pulse power engineering, advanced detonator design and testing, and applied problem solving. Additional capabilities include expertise in the detonation science and physics of detonator energetic materials, and engineering responsibility for the cradle to grave care of the detonators and detonator cable assemblies used by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Q-6 is also responsible for engineering, fabricating, or acquiring precision high explosives detonators for a diverse R&D customer base to meet present and future national security needs in a safe, secure, and efficient manner.

Q-6 is offering an exciting opportunity to be a part of the Denotation Science and Technology Group. The Group is seeking for an early-level R&D Engineer. You will work closely with a diverse group of engineers, technologists and technicians on timing and firing control systems, high explosive detonator testing, facility infrastructure, high voltage and laser operations to support experiments. You will work in areas involving high consequences for safety that might be in the form of chemicals, high explosives, high-power lasers, and high-energy devices.

The successful candidate will work within the Test Fire Engineering or the Timing and Firing Systems Engineering teams. You will be responsible for designing, qualifying, or supporting test series and experiments using high explosive detonators, high-voltage pulse power units, and various diagnostics to capture data to support research and development efforts and/or production quality at the LANL PA. In these teams you will gain experience in small to large scale, high-speed, highly accurate explosives operations to assess performance of high explosive components.


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
R&D Engineer 1 ($92,300-$151-000)
Successful applicants will perform the following duties in this position:

• Applies principles, theories, concepts and techniques of engineering, math and science to solve technical problems within discipline in support of the detonation science and technology, within LANL's missions.
• Supports projects in the performance of moderately complex and demanding assignments requiring initiative.
• Utilizes engineering and computer technology to accomplish work include analytical and/or scientific software, computer-aid design, controls software, word processing and other analytical and design software.
• Prepares, modifies, and reviews documents including technical procedures, drawings, and calculations. Continuously improves work processes to meet customer needs.
• Basic understanding of schematics and hardware configurations.
• Demonstrated experience developing operating procedures for complex, hazardous processes and write test reports in part or in whole to support R&D efforts or production qualification.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multi-discipline and formal environment. May directly support additional engineering staff; be able to work independently and as part of a team.

R&D Engineer 2 ($101,700 - $168,200)
Successful applicants will perform the following duties in this position:

• Demonstrated examples applying principles, theories, concepts and techniques of engineering, math and science to solve technical problems within discipline in support of the detonation science and technology, within LANL's missions.
• Support and leads projects in the performance of moderately complex and demanding assignments requiring initiative and independent judgment.
• Knowledge of systems engineering and requirements management principles and processes.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment, procedures, and operations related to high speed, hazardous testing.
  
• Strong understanding of schematics and hardware configurations related to design and setup of experiments or components.
• Hands-on setup of experiments/tests involving delicate specialty electrical and optical (laser) measurement equipment.
• Write procedures and test reports in part or in whole to support R&D efforts or production qualification.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multi-discipline and formal environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing operating procedures for complex, hazardous processes and the training of operators in performing these processes.
  

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 1: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution related to the occupation combined with 2 years of related experience.

Education/Experience for R&D Engineer 2: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited institution and 4 years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to this occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated mechanical design, manufacturing or assembly experience in the weapons program.
  
• Experience in electro-mechanical and optical hardware. This includes optical cables/connectors, welding optical fibers, cleaning/polishing optical fibers, and testing optical fiber runs for timing and loss.
• Experience participating in hazard analysis reviews.
• Experience working in an environment where high-explosives are present and be familiar with high-explosive safety programs.
• Experience with weapon component design, fabrication, and assembly techniques, as well as advanced fabrication processes.
• Experience with professional-level photography equipment and strong understanding of focal length, aperture, and depth-of-field.
• Experience with nanosecond-accuracy timing and measurement systems and instruments.
• Active Q Clearance, which normally requires US Citizenship.

Work Environment:

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations areat the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants: For full consideration, a comprehensive cover letter addressing your qualifications against the minimum and desired skills requirements is required.

Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

§ Dental and vision insurance

§ Free basic life and disability insurance

§ Paidchildbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs

§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearancerequires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances.See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.

Employment Status Full Time
Appointment Type Regular
Regular